Trai asks BFSI firms to use ‘1600’ series to curb fraud

Timeline for adoption

- GULVEEN AULAKH

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Wednesday issued directions to banking, financial services, and insurance entities to adopt the new “1600” numbering series under a phased timeline, starting January 1, 2026, for service and transactional calls. Currently, the entities use 10-digit mobile numbers or standard landline connections.

The directions have been issued to entities regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), and Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) for identification of their service and transaction calls, with the intent of curbing spam, financial frauds, and digital arrests — an emerging cybercrime trend where fraudsters pose as government or enforcement officials to extract money from unsuspecting people, often over voice or video calls.